Verse Of The Week

I stumbled across this verse during the week and I really was compelled to go deep into this.

First we have to understand what is going on here. In this chapter of the Bible the apostle Paul is speaking to the Christian public about how to live their lives like Christ. That beyond all else, as followers of Christ, it is your responsibility to live in love. Sounds about right.

Next we have to understand who Paul is as a person and influential figure in Catholicism. Here is the sparknotes version:

So, homeboy Paul was a Jewish man who was hyped up on arresting followers of Jesus especially apostles. Like, this is what got his socks off. On a trip from Jerusalem to Demascus, where he was all set to go round up a bunch of followers, homie see’s a bright green light and is all like it’s the resurrected Jesus! Then BAM! he goes blind for three days and has to beg to be led by hand to Demascus. He doesn’t eat or drink anything for these 3 days, he just prays. Then Ananias, a disciple of Jesus, was like don’t worry fam, God sent me to you, I got you! and restores his sight and lets him know, Jesus has love for you my guy and you should follow him now. After that Paul got baptized and started preaching about all the incredible works of Jesus.

Why does this matter?

This is important because its a reminder that it’s never too late to change your condition or your mindset. Paul could have continued to arrest early Catholics. He could have been preaching a message of hate and violence instead. He could have, he could have, he could have. But he didn’t. We have this version of Paul in the book of Colossians because of everything he goes through in the book of Acts.

Think about the things of heaven

Set your mind on heavenly things, on things centered in love. How many self help books and Ted Talks are out there telling you that your mindset can control your life? How many times have you tried to actively change your attitude on something so you could enjoy your day a bit more? Here, the Bible is telling us to stop focusing on the things that do not actively assist in bettering your life.

In poetry we find that this is a very common way of thinking. There’s this great quote by Richard Hugo – “Subjects that ought to have poems have a bad habit of wanting lots of other things at the same time.” You can’t write a good poem about love or grief. You write about the baseball your grandfather gave you on your fifth birthday or sharing an umbrella in the rain with your husband. Those little moments will make up your big picture. But try to sit down and write about love. Hard right?

It’s the same idea. If you set out saying I’m going to heaven! WTF does that even mean? How are you going to make that happen?

Baby steps my friend.

If you woke up this morning and were like I’m going to make a conscience effort to say please and thank you today. You’re taking a step. Albeit a small one but a step nonetheless. Now say a week later you’re like I’m going to clean out my closet and donate all my extra shit. Dope. You clean your house and you help people; that’s cool as fuck. Eventually all these small steps are going to be reflexes. You’re going to be living in love because it’s what you’re use to.

Not the things of the Earth

I don’t want to gloss over this last part either. It’s not just about doing better for yourself and for others. It’s about not letting the things that don’t matter take you away from the things that do.

Your boss is a dick? Fine. What does that have to do with you being nice to your co-workers?

You can’t afford a new pair of Yeezy’s? So what. Why is that stopping you from paying for the car behind you at Starbucks?

Your dog just threw up on your new carpet? Sucks. How does that stop you from calling your mother and telling her you love her today?

As a culture we value things that give us fleeting satisfaction and not relationships. We are pickier about how we spend our money than how we treat and interact with each other. And I for one think that’s a load of bullshit.

I mean, chances are there was someone back in Jesus’ time who was like dude I really want to go listen to that kid Jesus spit straight facts at that wedding but there’s a sale on bread loaves and I can’t miss it!Don’t be that dude.

Today I challenge you to pick one thing and do that one thing with as much love and respect that you could muster. Do something for someone else or for yourself. Do something that will make life easier or more fun. Do something that will make you smile or make someone else smile. Live in love. Always.